Cover for a bell or a diaphragm of a stethoscope

Abstract

A cover for a stethoscope, and in particular the bell or diaphragm of a stethoscope, has a semi rigid center portion with a flexible skirt extending therefrom. The skirt and the semi rigid center portion terminates in an expandable binding ring, thereby permitting the cove to be applied thereto. The cover may a unitary or a multiple piece.

1. A grippable temporary sanitary device for a bell or a diaphragm of a stethoscope comprising:
 a) the grippable temporary sanitary device including a circular and flexible frame, and a flexible disk; 
 b) the circular and flexible frame having a circular outer rim; 
 c) the circular outer rim having an open end and a closed end; 
 d) the flexible disk forming the closed end; 
 e) at least one flexible, exterior gripping member being positioned on an exterior of the circular outer rim adjacent to the open end; 
 f) the at least one flexible, exterior gripping member assisting an application to or a removal from the stethoscope; 
 g) an interior rim of the grippable temporary sanitary device being adjacent to the closed end of the circular rim; 
 h) the flexible disk being secured within the interior rim in order to form the closed end; 
 i) the flexible disk having a thicker center portion and a slender outer rim; 
 j) the slender outer rim being secured to the interior rim, so that the thicker center portion forms the closed end of the grippable temporary sanitary device; 
 k) a step structure connecting slender outer rim to the center portion and thereby; 
 l) at least one aperture within the slender outer rim in order to facilitate holding of disk in the interior rim; 
 m) a gripping ledge being adjacent the open end on the circular outer rim; 
 n) the optional gripping ledge permitting an additional holding of the grippable temporary sanitary device to the stethoscope in addition a friction contact of the circular outer rim; 
 o) the flexible disk being secured to the interior rim by gluing, heat welding, or friction; and 
 p) the at least one aperture in the outer being two to ten apertures. 
 
   
   
     2. The grippable temporary sanitary device of  claim 1  further comprising the at least one flexible, exterior gripping member being three flexible, exterior gripping members. 
   
   
     3. A method of forming a grippable temporary sanitary device for use on a bell or a diaphragm of stethoscope comprising;
 a) forming a disk with a thicker center portion and a slender outer rim for use in the grippable temporary sanitary device; 
 b) having a step connecting the thicker center portion and the slender outer rim; 
 c) positioning the disk in a desired position; 
 d) forming a circular and flexible frame around the disk; 
 e) the circular and flexible frame having a circular outer rim; 
 f) the circular outer rim having an open end and a closed end; 
 g) the flexible disk forming the closed end; 
 h) at least one flexible, exterior gripping member being positioned on an exterior of the circular outer rim adjacent to the open end; 
 i) the at least one flexible, exterior gripping member assisting an application to or a removal from the stethoscope; 
 j) an interior rim of the grippable temporary sanitary device being adjacent to the closed end of the circular rim; 
 k) the flexible disk being secured within the interior rim in order to form the closed end; 
 l) the flexible disk having a thicker center portion and a slender outer rim; 
 m) the slender outer rim being secured to the interior rim, so that the thicker center portion forms the closed end of the grippable temporary sanitary device; 
 n) a step structure connecting slender outer rim to the center portion and thereby; 
 o) at least one aperture within the slender outer rim in order to facilitate holding of disk in the interior rim; 
 p) a gripping ledge being adjacent the open end on the circular outer rim; 
 q) the optional gripping ledge permitting an additional holding of the grippable temporary sanitary device to the stethoscope in addition a friction contact of the circular outer rim; 
 r) the flexible disk being secured to the interior rim by gluing, heat welding, or friction; and 
 s) the at least one aperture in the outer being two to ten apertures. 
 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 3  further comprising the at least one flexible, exterior gripping member being three flexible, exterior gripping members. 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the grippable temporary sanitary device is formed from a polymer of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or copolymers thereof. 
   
   
     6. The grippable temporary sanitary device of  claim 2  being formed of a polymer of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or copolymers thereof.